Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

How can we help society see that mental health is just as important as physical health?

I honestly think it's a matter of talking about it more and not being ashamed about your mental health. I know this is easier said than done, for me what helped me start talking about my mental health was when a few years ago I was on the bus to my psychologist. I ran into a guy who I went to primary school with and he asked why I was on the bus. I wasn't sure what to say and whether I should tell him that I was going to see my psychologist but I did and he said that it was cool. From that point on I didn't feel the need to hide the fact that I saw a psychologist.

I mean put it this way when you break or sprain an ankle you see a physio and no one cares, when you have specific physical health problem you see a specialist. A psychologist is just a specialist for your brain and it's nothing to be ashamed about.

Also a thing to recognise is that mental health can have physical side affects which people can see and both your mental health and physical health are linked. If you're stressed you can loose sleep, stop eating and become withdrawn these are physical side affects of your mental health.

Don't be ashamed or feel the need to hide the fact you are struggling with your mental health, the more people talk about their mental health the more society will see that it is just as important as your physical health.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whatever it takes I know I can make it through!

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

Good question today.. leads on well from so many of the reflections from yesterday.

How can we help society see that mental health is just as important as physical health?

I agree with @ErinsAntics that talking about it more is a massive part of the solution! I believe we all need to accept that our mental wellbeing is something everyone will struggle with throughout their lives, and that we all need to attend to it just as we do our mental health. Just as we exercise regularly, eat good food, and see the GP about our bodies, we need to be mindful of our mental health and the impact our daily routines are having on keeping us well!

(Eating well, and exercising are also great habits for our mental wellbeing too)

I also want to add on to your great point about psychologists being mental specialists, that I'm a big believer in not waiting until you have a serious problem until you seek out your emotional development. I think counselling and psychology are great tools that all of us can use to better our insight, coping strategies, and resilience!

Don't wait until you're "sick" until you start building the mental muscles we all need to get through life. Seeing a psychologist , or reading up about mental wellbeing, or keeping a journal - are all things you can do when you're well, in order to keep yourself well.

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

How can we help society see that mental health is just as important as physical health?

I agree with both @gina-RO and @ErinsAntics! I think the biggest barrier is that we see it as shameful/embarrassing and maybe even not as important . There seems to be a lot of 'stigma' around mental health and again, people don't understand that it doesn't mean you are crazy it just means you need a little extra support. I don't really think I have anything else to add - you guys all answered them really well

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

@gina-ROI am a big believer that everyone whether they have a mental illness or not should go see a psychologist even if its just for a few appointments, just so they can be aware of their mental health and learn more about themselves. It's like how you are meant to see a dentist every 1-2 years just make sure there are no issues that could turn into bigger problems later on.

Even when my anxiety levels are super low/non-existent I still see my psychologist every 3-4 weeks just because she helps me see issues before they become big problems.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whatever it takes I know I can make it through!

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

@gina-RO I couldn't agree more!!The stigma attached to mental health issues makes people too ashamed to seek help until things are seriously wrong, but the same person might visit a doctor to get medication so their cold doesn't get worse and become something like pneumonia. We, as a society, have such a double standard!@ErinsAntics such a good idea to see a psychologist for a mental health check up! Early intervention <3

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

How can we help society see that mental health is just as important as physical health?

The negative stigma around mental health is beyond bad. I don't know if we can achieve that anytime soon. The study of mental health is relevantly new. Back then if you had some mental disorder you were just labelled as crazy but medicine and physicians were a plenty. In that sense mental health has a long ways to catch up to be labelled just an important as physical health if not more.

The only ways if to talk about it and reduce the negative stigma around it so people don't have to feel ashamed if they want to see a psychologist or a doctor about their depression. Obviously this is especially true in around men as they have 'tis but a scratch!' mentality when it comes to injury; any type of injury.

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

How can we help society see that mental health is just as important as physical health?

Sorry for the delayed response, I had Uni and didn't get home until late.

I think we can help society see mental illness for what it is by continuously talking about it. I think the main solution here will be exposure. Eventually and hopefully, the stereotypes and stigma around mental health will be chipped away at until they are almost insignificant. Realistically, I think we still have quite a long way to go, but with constant awareness such as Mental Health Week, I think we are definitely on the right track.

It is hard for people (especially if they haven't experienced a mental illness) to view the illness as something that is really there. This is because it can't be seen visually like a physical illness can. It's about teaching and exposing people to the very real issues that mental illnesses can cause.

Re: [SLOW-MO CHAT]: Mental Health Week!

How can we bring up mental health and our struggles with it in everyday conversation?

I think this is something that is going to rely heavily on courage, bravery and practise. To just trust in people when you tell them of your own struggles. People are more willing to open up when they realise they are not alone and it is much easier to follow and reply to someone than to initiate it. Over time, this will hopefully become a natural and common topic of discussion as the stigma slowly goes away.

I think it would be easier to start generally, such as did you know it's Mental Health Week or that it is coming up/just passed. Or something like, I haven't been my best lately as I find it hard to deal with... instead of just responding with "I'm fine" when someone asks how you are. (Something I am often guilty of).